EPISODE 49: In today’s episode I visit with a Vascular Surgeon to address vascular complications during pregnancy. This episode is great if you're a patient who has had any vascular complication as well as if you are a physician preparing for your oral board exams!
Guest: Dr. Patrick Duffy

In this episode, we discuss:
• What a Vascular Surgeon Does — 2:07 — The "plumbers of the body": arterial and venous disease, blood clots, atherosclerosis, and trauma.
• Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Pregnancy — 4:24 — Why pregnant patients are at higher risk for clots, and the DVT-to-PE relationship.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) — 4:51 — Symptoms, diagnosis via venous duplex ultrasound, anticoagulation management, and prevention (compression, mobility, hydration).
• May-Thurner Syndrome — 20:53 — Right iliac artery compressing the left iliac vein; unprovoked left-leg DVT; treated with angioplasty and stenting.
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE) — 24:33 — Symptoms, overlap with pregnancy, CT angiogram vs. VQ scan, anticoagulation, and thrombectomy for cor pulmonale.
• IVC Filters — 32:38 — What they are, placement (neck or groin), indications, temporary vs. permanent, and removal.
• Laparoscopic Surgery in Pregnancy — 42:46 — Trocar placement, insufflation pressures, Veress needle complications, and managing retroperitoneal hematomas.
• Liver Rupture & Portal Hypertension — 49:20 — Diagnosis, embolization treatment, and a fatal case discussion involving liver varicosities.
• Varicose Veins in Pregnancy — 55:53 — Deep vs. superficial venous systems, superficial thrombophlebitis, vulvar varicosities, and when a cesarean might be warranted.
• Splenic Artery Aneurysm — 1:02:39 — Incidental findings, third-trimester rupture risk, treatment thresholds, and family history.
• Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome — 1:05:41 — Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, pulmonary and cerebral AVMs, autosomal dominant inheritance.

Helpful links:
May Thurner Syndrome: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17213-may-thurner-syndrome
Multiple AVMs during pregnancy: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/crpm-2014-0014/html?srsltid=AYCX9vLFUwZn2XOeuQZhx0y6Or5BtPNR8S2funjn5c60TIGl2dHdh_qS


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BOARD QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
With Dr. Patrick Duffy, Vascular Surgeon

What is the best imaging if you suspect a pulmonary embolism? How do you begin treatment when you diagnose a pulmonary embolism? Let's learn more about it!

Prepare for your oral board exams with confidence. This series will help to break down questions to help you best answer them in an organized form. Whether you're just starting or in need of more practice, this series will help you with strengthening your communication skills and learning how to structure clear and concise answers under pressure.

CLICK HERE to find more helpful board resources!

BOARD QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
With Dr. Patrick Duffy, Vascular Surgeon

How would you manage a patient diagnosed with a DVT in pregnancy who is then therapeutically anticoagulated and weeks later has a pulmonary embolism? Let's learn more about management and the use of IVC filters!

Prepare for your oral board exams with confidence. This series will help to break down questions to help you best answer them in an organized form. Whether you're just starting or in need of more practice, this series will help you with strengthening your communication skills and learning how to structure clear and concise answers under pressure.

CLICK HERE to find more helpful board resources!

SPECIAL EPISODE: While recording my prior episode with Dr. Ucheoma-Cofield, we got personal when we hit the topic of domestic violence. Visiting with my dear friend from medical school, I found it easy to share my own story about abuse, how I immediately felt like it was my job to help the person who abused me, and the shame I felt after it all happened.

If you can take three things away from this, I want you to know:
1) No one enters a relationship thinking that they will be abused.
2) Talking about abuse is not easy.
3) Any shame or blame does NOT belong to the person who was hurt.

If you or someone you know needs support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

I’m grateful to Dr. Ucheoma for being willing to have these difficult conversations with me. These are conversations that deserve to be talked about openly, with compassion and without judgment.

EPISODE 48: In today’s episode I visit with a Psychiatrist specializing in holistic child, adolescent, and adult mental health care.
Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Uchemoa-Cofield

In this episode, we discuss:
• How pregnancy can be a manipulation tool in abusive relationships
• The impact covid had on social skills and development
• Ways to best advocate for yourself in the space of mental health in general and specifically when pregnant or postpartum
• Preeclampsia risks and the use of low-dose aspirin (of note, use of low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention began in the United states in approximately 2014 - 2016)

Helpful links:
Learn more about Dr. Ucheoma-Cofield https://ucheomapsychiatricsolutions.com/
Find a therapist https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
How to watch the series Fleishman Is In Trouble https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11527058/
How to watch the series Roar (recommend the episode titled "The Woman Who Found Bite Marks On Her Skin") https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9174600/
Article about NICU outcomes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16396844/

If you or someone you know needs support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is about educating yourself. The goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Click to learn more about Dr. Lexi.

Click HERE to watch the podcast.

GET FREE DOWNLOADS like the MUST HAVE Advocacy Assistant outlining important questions everyone should ask their OB provider!

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EPISODE 47: In today’s episode I visit with a wonderful mother, who out of the blue had a heart attack! Like many women, she did not have classic signs or symptoms of a heart attack.
Guest: Donna Hill

In this episode, we discuss:
• How a heart attack may present as a woman.
• Signs that should alert you to seek further care.
• Ways to best advocate for yourself as a woman in the Emergency Room.

Helpful Links:
Learn more about women and heart disease:
https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html
https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts

If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is about educating yourself. The goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Click to learn more about Dr. Lexi.

Click HERE to watch the podcast.

GET FREE DOWNLOADS like the MUST HAVE Advocacy Assistant outlining important questions everyone should ask their OB provider!

BOOK A CONSULTATION WITH DR LEXI

CONNECT WITH DR LEXI
Website; Instagram; Twitter; Facebook

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
Apple Podcasts; Spotify; Amazon

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS ANSWERED! Dealing with leg swelling or discomfort during pregnancy? Compression stockings might be the solution.

What to listen for:
0:36 Why swelling happens in pregnancy
1:01 How compression socks help
1:10 What pressure to look for
1:22 How to measure your calf size
1:40 Brand reviews & recommendations
4:35 Final thoughts & summary

WATCH FULL EPISODE

CLICK HERE to learn more about a high-risk pregnancy or to book a consult with Dr. Lexi.

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Must ask questions for your OB provider: ADVOCACY QUESTION CHECKLIST
Find your best fit + Dr. Lexi’s favorite options

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS ANSWERED! Are you pregnant and wondering about iron, anemia, and supplements? In this video, Dr. Lexi Hill, a board-certified OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, breaks down everything you need to know about iron deficiency in pregnancy.

What we'll cover:
1:05 — What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
2:20 — Symptoms to Watch For
3:15 — How Much Iron You Need During Pregnancy
4:10 — Food Sources vs. Supplements
5:05 — How Low Iron Affects Mom & Baby
6:00 — When to Get Tested & What Labs to Ask For
6:50 — Tips for Taking Iron Supplements
7:40 — Summary & Key Takeaways

WATCH FULL EPISODE

CLICK HERE to learn more about a high-risk pregnancy or to book a consult with Dr. Lexi.

✅ FREE DOWNLOAD
Must ask questions for your OB provider: ADVOCACY QUESTION CHECKLIST